Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Allie's Blog
Allie is one of my high school girls whom I love and adore. She and her family of six have embarked on 6 week trip across the U.S.A. To read about this crazy adventure check out her site at www.lallie.blogspot.com.
In fact, if you head on over there you should leave a message and let her know you are reading her blog. It's always kind of fun to know that people are actually reading this stuff. It'd be really funny if she has no clue who you are, but you could tell her I sent you :0)
In fact, if you head on over there you should leave a message and let her know you are reading her blog. It's always kind of fun to know that people are actually reading this stuff. It'd be really funny if she has no clue who you are, but you could tell her I sent you :0)
Thursday, June 15, 2006
AARRGGGGG!!!
I've spent a large portion of the day paying bills, setting up automatic payments and doing things, like learning how to set up my voice mail (those of you who have been unable to leave us a message for several months might appreciate that!)
The problem? I've spent the day talking to computers who are frustrating, and it's taken me three and four times as long to do something then it would if I just talked to a human! Talking to a human, what a concept!
Arggg #2 and question of the day. If you end up on the phone with a customer service representative that you can't understand, what course of action should you take?
1.) Grin and bear it and try your best not to flip out?
2.) Hang up and try again, hoping for better luck next time? (mind you this means filtering through the computer mumbo-jumbo til y ou actually reach a person?
3.) Or, ask to be transferred to somebody else?
Any advice?
The problem? I've spent the day talking to computers who are frustrating, and it's taken me three and four times as long to do something then it would if I just talked to a human! Talking to a human, what a concept!
Arggg #2 and question of the day. If you end up on the phone with a customer service representative that you can't understand, what course of action should you take?
1.) Grin and bear it and try your best not to flip out?
2.) Hang up and try again, hoping for better luck next time? (mind you this means filtering through the computer mumbo-jumbo til y ou actually reach a person?
3.) Or, ask to be transferred to somebody else?
Any advice?
Lazy Day
Rob and I have spent the day at home with our kids cleaning house, paying bills and doing a whole-lot-of-nothing! I love days like this!
We both have super-busy weeks next week, I'd venture to say our busiest week of the year as far as ministry is concerned. This of course, means that the weeks leading up to it are also quite crazy. Crazy, crazy, crazy, that's my life right now!
But, in spite of the craziness, I'm still loving life. I keep thinking things will slow down soon, but they never do!
We both have super-busy weeks next week, I'd venture to say our busiest week of the year as far as ministry is concerned. This of course, means that the weeks leading up to it are also quite crazy. Crazy, crazy, crazy, that's my life right now!
But, in spite of the craziness, I'm still loving life. I keep thinking things will slow down soon, but they never do!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Check-Up
Yup, my baby's still short!
He weighs 14 lbs. 6 oz. 5%
He's 24 3/4 inches 5%
Babies are supposed to double their birthweight by 4 months, well Titus finally did at 6 1/2! The doctor I saw today was not his normal doctor, she encouraged me to study his personality as he grows to find out what he's good at and to help him be confident in those th ings and help him to acheive his potential so he doesn't get a complex about being short. It almost gave me a complex, the poor guy is only 6 months old!
He had to get some shots and a minor adjustment to his circumcision, so he was pretty darn fussy today! I can't blame the guy. He's a trooper though, and still a great kid!
I was going to blog some pictures tonight, but Rob is doing some filming form Extreme Vacation next week and he has the camera with him in the car, so you can blame it on him!
I got my desk cleaned off though, and that doesn't happen very often! It looks nice, I should keep it this way. It helps me feel like my life isn't so chaotic since I spend a lot of time here!
He weighs 14 lbs. 6 oz. 5%
He's 24 3/4 inches 5%
Babies are supposed to double their birthweight by 4 months, well Titus finally did at 6 1/2! The doctor I saw today was not his normal doctor, she encouraged me to study his personality as he grows to find out what he's good at and to help him be confident in those th ings and help him to acheive his potential so he doesn't get a complex about being short. It almost gave me a complex, the poor guy is only 6 months old!
He had to get some shots and a minor adjustment to his circumcision, so he was pretty darn fussy today! I can't blame the guy. He's a trooper though, and still a great kid!
I was going to blog some pictures tonight, but Rob is doing some filming form Extreme Vacation next week and he has the camera with him in the car, so you can blame it on him!
I got my desk cleaned off though, and that doesn't happen very often! It looks nice, I should keep it this way. It helps me feel like my life isn't so chaotic since I spend a lot of time here!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Just a few posts...
I haven't posted in a while, so below are a few updates. I'll post more about Kyndall's graduation and Dan's graduations once I get my pictures downloaded onto my computer. For now, I've spent too much time blogging (see below!) I think I'm gonna take my kiddies on a walk and unwind from a busy week as we head into an even busier week! Happy reading...
My son looks like my father!
Titus has looked an awful lot like my dad from day 1, but these last couple of days I have been freaked out by the resemblence. I keep looking over and seeing my dad, only shorter and with a little more hair and no teeth! I'll have to see if I can get ahold of a baby picture of him, I bet they'd be difficult to tell apart, other than the obvious aging of the pictures!
Speghetti for 200--I mean 75?
So, after slaving over pots of boiling water for hours on end last night, and hours worth of additional preperation this morning, we had speghetti, salad, rolls and brownies to serve 200 people. Let me tell you, that's a lot of stinkin speghetti!
The problem, ah, maybe 50-75 people showed up! Rob and I were flabberghasted because most of our after church lunches run at least 150. So we dutifully planned for some extras to ensure that we wouldn't run out, as you can't just whip up more speghetti from the middle of nowhere!
A few people trickled in and at 12:20 I asked why the service was running so late. He said it wasn't running late, most everyone had simply left. So I starred at my 6 huge pans of speghetti and all the fixings and almost cried! He looked like he was about to cry too, it's hard to put so much work into something to see it fall apart!
It all worked out in the end though as many of the families who were there ended up taking home lots of speghetti and fixings and donated some money for it to cover the cost of the food. We did end up covering the cost, and a little extra which was nice, but we were hoping for quite a bit more. There was an extra pan of speghetti which I think is being used this evening at youth group for some fun games, like fish stuff out of the speghetti with your feet!
Each of the kids who were there ended up going for $50-$100 which will certainly help them with their endevours to the summer youth events. So really, it did end up working out well, it was just stressful gettting to that point. Next time we'll just order pizza!
The problem, ah, maybe 50-75 people showed up! Rob and I were flabberghasted because most of our after church lunches run at least 150. So we dutifully planned for some extras to ensure that we wouldn't run out, as you can't just whip up more speghetti from the middle of nowhere!
A few people trickled in and at 12:20 I asked why the service was running so late. He said it wasn't running late, most everyone had simply left. So I starred at my 6 huge pans of speghetti and all the fixings and almost cried! He looked like he was about to cry too, it's hard to put so much work into something to see it fall apart!
It all worked out in the end though as many of the families who were there ended up taking home lots of speghetti and fixings and donated some money for it to cover the cost of the food. We did end up covering the cost, and a little extra which was nice, but we were hoping for quite a bit more. There was an extra pan of speghetti which I think is being used this evening at youth group for some fun games, like fish stuff out of the speghetti with your feet!
Each of the kids who were there ended up going for $50-$100 which will certainly help them with their endevours to the summer youth events. So really, it did end up working out well, it was just stressful gettting to that point. Next time we'll just order pizza!
Rolling, rolling, rolling
As I typed my last post, I had Titus on the floor next to me. He's figured out that he can get to where he wants to go by rolling around, and rolling again, and again, and again in the direction he wants to go. I love watching him grow and learn new things everyday!
A loooooong night!
Rob and I pulled back into town from Washington in enough time to get to the church by 6:00 just as we had planned. Rob had 'planned' a speghetti feed/slave auction to help some of the youth raise money for summer trips. *I say 'planned' because he came up with the idea without considering how to actually cook speghetti for up to 200 people, it's actually quite difficult!*
At any rate, after talking to some people who know more than I do we determined that it's best to cook it all up the day before and bake it the morning of. I figured it would take a couple of hours, so if we got to the church at 6:00 we'd be home and done by 9:00ish. Well, when we got to the church we found out that the kitchen was being used by a home school group until 9:00. Uh-oh. I honestly wanted to flip....at no one in-particular. A million thoughts ran through my head, namely, "How are we going to pull this off." We don't have the capacity to refridgerate 20 lbs of noodles in our fridge at home, so we decided that we would have to come back at 9:00. We simply didn't have another choice.
So, we packed up our kids and brought a movie for them to watch while Rob and I proceeded to cook a ridiculous amount of speghetti. 20 lbs of noodles, 7 huge cans of sauce and 15 lbs of hamburger later Rob and I found ourselves cleaning up the kitchen at the church at 12:30 this morning.
The problem? About this time Leeann tired with exhaustion (she refused to fall asleep in her make-shift bed in the corner of the kitchen) started running full speed around the islands in the kitchen. Mind you, it was 12:45 in the morning! Every half hour or so she would burst into tears. We just tried to keep her calm, spend a few minutes snuggling with her, and put her back to 'bed'. She survived and so did we, though I don't recommend anyone keeping their 2 year old up so late at night! (Duh, smarty pants!)
Needless to say, it was incredibly difficult for all of us to get out of bed this morning and Leeann spent the morning rather cranky. She's better now that she's had a nap though!
At any rate, after talking to some people who know more than I do we determined that it's best to cook it all up the day before and bake it the morning of. I figured it would take a couple of hours, so if we got to the church at 6:00 we'd be home and done by 9:00ish. Well, when we got to the church we found out that the kitchen was being used by a home school group until 9:00. Uh-oh. I honestly wanted to flip....at no one in-particular. A million thoughts ran through my head, namely, "How are we going to pull this off." We don't have the capacity to refridgerate 20 lbs of noodles in our fridge at home, so we decided that we would have to come back at 9:00. We simply didn't have another choice.
So, we packed up our kids and brought a movie for them to watch while Rob and I proceeded to cook a ridiculous amount of speghetti. 20 lbs of noodles, 7 huge cans of sauce and 15 lbs of hamburger later Rob and I found ourselves cleaning up the kitchen at the church at 12:30 this morning.
The problem? About this time Leeann tired with exhaustion (she refused to fall asleep in her make-shift bed in the corner of the kitchen) started running full speed around the islands in the kitchen. Mind you, it was 12:45 in the morning! Every half hour or so she would burst into tears. We just tried to keep her calm, spend a few minutes snuggling with her, and put her back to 'bed'. She survived and so did we, though I don't recommend anyone keeping their 2 year old up so late at night! (Duh, smarty pants!)
Needless to say, it was incredibly difficult for all of us to get out of bed this morning and Leeann spent the morning rather cranky. She's better now that she's had a nap though!
Cause I hungry
We spent a couple of days up in Washington to celebrate Rob's brother's graduation and to see his family. Well, on Thursday we were at Shelly's (Rob's sister) house and my neice Amanda came into the room crying. Through her tears she slowly sobbed "Leeann bit me!"
Leeann what? Rob and I looked at each other and Rob dutifully went to speak with Leeann. He took her aside and asked her if she bit Amanda and she said yes. "Why did you bite Amanda, Leeann?" asked Rob.
"Cause I hungry!"
Isn't that funny? She said she bit Amanda because she was hungry! Before you think we starve her, she had just finished 3 large bowls of speghetti, so I assure you, it wasn't because she was hungry! The things little ones say...
Leeann what? Rob and I looked at each other and Rob dutifully went to speak with Leeann. He took her aside and asked her if she bit Amanda and she said yes. "Why did you bite Amanda, Leeann?" asked Rob.
"Cause I hungry!"
Isn't that funny? She said she bit Amanda because she was hungry! Before you think we starve her, she had just finished 3 large bowls of speghetti, so I assure you, it wasn't because she was hungry! The things little ones say...
Monday, June 05, 2006
An emotional wreck!
My dear, sweet, perfect daughter has been a complete emotional wreck lately! She has had major melt-down after major melt-down over the last several days, leaving Rob and I questioning what's going on in her little world.
Too much sugar? Could be. We've had two birthday parties in the last two days...
Too many people? Probably. See above...
Too little sleep? Always an option...
Expanding thought process with limited vocabulary frustrating her? Yup...
Becoming independant? Unforunately...
Almost 3? Sure enough...
Anything changed? Not really... hmmm... Our lives aren't that different now then they were last week or even last month, so why the sudden constant mello-drama? Good question!
The good news is that she's been more of her sweet usual self today, so hopefully it was just a short stage? Maybe. Please tell me that's the case! Rob and I were scrutinizing our parenting, her schedule, her personality, her surroundings trying to grasp at anything we might be able to 'fix'. Something tells me it's not that easy just to 'fix' though. Bummer! It's only just the beginning!
Too much sugar? Could be. We've had two birthday parties in the last two days...
Too many people? Probably. See above...
Too little sleep? Always an option...
Expanding thought process with limited vocabulary frustrating her? Yup...
Becoming independant? Unforunately...
Almost 3? Sure enough...
Anything changed? Not really... hmmm... Our lives aren't that different now then they were last week or even last month, so why the sudden constant mello-drama? Good question!
The good news is that she's been more of her sweet usual self today, so hopefully it was just a short stage? Maybe. Please tell me that's the case! Rob and I were scrutinizing our parenting, her schedule, her personality, her surroundings trying to grasp at anything we might be able to 'fix'. Something tells me it's not that easy just to 'fix' though. Bummer! It's only just the beginning!
Friday, June 02, 2006
6 months ago today...
6 months ago today the last of the visitors for the evening had left the hospital and Rob and I were left to care for the little boy just a few hours old. I still don't know why the people at the hospital trusted us with his care. What were they thinking? I fell asleep with Titus in my arms that night and it was one of the most special moments in the whole world!
He's been a big smiley-cooey-happy man ever since. I'd say he's grown tons, but I don't even know if he's doubled his birthweight yet. I honestly don't think he's grown much at all! But, that's beside the point. He is so sweet, and so special, and such a good little guy. I call him my little man, because he really does look like just a little man. He's gonna be a mama's boy, you can quote me on that one. Okay, at least I'm hoping he's going to be a mama's boy since Leeann's a daddy's girl.
It's been a great 6 months, but I know the next 6 months will be rough as he starts crawling and even walking and saying some words too. He's gonna be difficult to chase after for a while, but I look forward to when he's a little over a year because then we are no longer on uncharted territory. Leeann was 16 months old when she came to us, we'll be set once we get there!
He's been a big smiley-cooey-happy man ever since. I'd say he's grown tons, but I don't even know if he's doubled his birthweight yet. I honestly don't think he's grown much at all! But, that's beside the point. He is so sweet, and so special, and such a good little guy. I call him my little man, because he really does look like just a little man. He's gonna be a mama's boy, you can quote me on that one. Okay, at least I'm hoping he's going to be a mama's boy since Leeann's a daddy's girl.
It's been a great 6 months, but I know the next 6 months will be rough as he starts crawling and even walking and saying some words too. He's gonna be difficult to chase after for a while, but I look forward to when he's a little over a year because then we are no longer on uncharted territory. Leeann was 16 months old when she came to us, we'll be set once we get there!
6 years ago today...
6 years ago today I was on top of the world--the biggest day of my life! All of the years I spent in school were culminating in this, my graduation day!
Well, 6 years have come and gone and things have changed significantly. A college degree, a wedding, 2 children, 2 home purchases, and 2 car purchases later, I realize graduating from high school was--still a good day--but not all that I had made it out to be.
Funny how much can change in a few short years. I moved away from St. Helens that fall and I never moved back. Rob pointed out that I've lived a 1/4 of my life away from my home town now. That's wierd to think about!
High school days were good, and I have many fond memories. I only keep in touch with a few people from high school though, so for 4 years of constant trauma hardly seems worth the pain! It is worth the pain though, the few friends I still have were worth it! The one I keep in touch with most is my best friend Angie though, and we've been friends since kindergarten. We actually didn't hang out much during high school ironically, but I'm confident that we will remain friends til the grave--it's just that kind of friendship!
Suddenly being class president all 4 years doesn't seem that important, nor does losing the ASB presidental election (to the class clown, despite my 3 previous years of being class president). I thought I was hot-stuff for one, and a loser for the other. Now I realize neither are the big deal I made them out to be. The boyfriends that I had (far too many in my estimation) I found out were not the perfect people I thought they were, and certainly not worth the thousands of hours (and probably that many dollars) that I spent thinking about them and spending time with them. All of that to regret most of them and never speak to most of them again. Ironic eh?
Sorry to drag you on another trip down memory lane... I really didn't know where this post would head, but I'll leave it at what is here now. High school, those were the days...
Well, 6 years have come and gone and things have changed significantly. A college degree, a wedding, 2 children, 2 home purchases, and 2 car purchases later, I realize graduating from high school was--still a good day--but not all that I had made it out to be.
Funny how much can change in a few short years. I moved away from St. Helens that fall and I never moved back. Rob pointed out that I've lived a 1/4 of my life away from my home town now. That's wierd to think about!
High school days were good, and I have many fond memories. I only keep in touch with a few people from high school though, so for 4 years of constant trauma hardly seems worth the pain! It is worth the pain though, the few friends I still have were worth it! The one I keep in touch with most is my best friend Angie though, and we've been friends since kindergarten. We actually didn't hang out much during high school ironically, but I'm confident that we will remain friends til the grave--it's just that kind of friendship!
Suddenly being class president all 4 years doesn't seem that important, nor does losing the ASB presidental election (to the class clown, despite my 3 previous years of being class president). I thought I was hot-stuff for one, and a loser for the other. Now I realize neither are the big deal I made them out to be. The boyfriends that I had (far too many in my estimation) I found out were not the perfect people I thought they were, and certainly not worth the thousands of hours (and probably that many dollars) that I spent thinking about them and spending time with them. All of that to regret most of them and never speak to most of them again. Ironic eh?
Sorry to drag you on another trip down memory lane... I really didn't know where this post would head, but I'll leave it at what is here now. High school, those were the days...
Pictures with the cousins!
Aunt Suzy (Rob's younger sister) and her two boys, Weston and Logan came to visit last week. Here are a few pictures that I took of them. They were having fun crawling up the end of our log-framed bed then sliding down and doing it again. It can keep Leeann busy for hours and I think she had fun having some company!
The one of Titus is him sitting up in his bouncy. I went to lay him down and he just sat straight up like he's been doing it all of his life! It was cute, and I'm a mom, so I took pictures!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Super-Quick Update
This is for those daily blog readers who have been checking my blog and been met with dissapointment recently (especially you Pam in CA)!
I've just been plain busy! Rob's sister and her boys came to visit us from Wednesday night to Monday afternoon. It was a blast! Needless to say I was too busy to post with 4 kiddies running around!
I took pictures of my first wedding on Saturday which was fun. The unfun part is resizing them and labeling them with a copyright logo. Tedius, but I need to get it done. When? Good question. Soon Jenni, I'm working on it!
I've had several meetings in anticipation of my new job already. I don't officially start until tomorrow but we have a lot of transitioning going on, so I've had to get a jump start on some things (we're hiring new nursery workers, so I'm creating job descriptions and interviewing and such.)
In fact, I have an interview tonight and since I've been so busy I've promised my husband some good quality time between now and then. He'll be home soon so I have to get some dinner started and be wrapping up everything else, which means I've gotta go!
Sorry for the not-so-interesting super quick update!
I've just been plain busy! Rob's sister and her boys came to visit us from Wednesday night to Monday afternoon. It was a blast! Needless to say I was too busy to post with 4 kiddies running around!
I took pictures of my first wedding on Saturday which was fun. The unfun part is resizing them and labeling them with a copyright logo. Tedius, but I need to get it done. When? Good question. Soon Jenni, I'm working on it!
I've had several meetings in anticipation of my new job already. I don't officially start until tomorrow but we have a lot of transitioning going on, so I've had to get a jump start on some things (we're hiring new nursery workers, so I'm creating job descriptions and interviewing and such.)
In fact, I have an interview tonight and since I've been so busy I've promised my husband some good quality time between now and then. He'll be home soon so I have to get some dinner started and be wrapping up everything else, which means I've gotta go!
Sorry for the not-so-interesting super quick update!
Friday, May 26, 2006
Since the last time...
The week before last Rob went down to Southern California to a Purpose Driven Church conference. I had the pleasure of attending this conference with him 2 years ago when we went down to Disney Land as my post-graduation/pre-children trip. Oh, it was phenomenal! It's a 4 day conference at an enormous church that just has a lot of amazing things going on in it. They are reaching the world for Jesus Christ and changing the way church is done, for the better in my opinion!
Anyway, many of you have probably heard of 40 days of purpose, The Purpose Driven Life, or other such 'purpose driven' things. The guy who heads all of those is the Senior Pastor at Saddleback and he runs these conferences. I can't say enough good things about it, but I'll spare you details.
So, Rob spent a week there and I went up to St. Helens, which is where my family is from and where I grew up. I wasn't ready to face the week by myself with both kids so I went and stayed with my cousin and her family. She was really great and helped me take care of my babies. Being a 'single' mom is hard work!
It was fun to be home but it was kind of crazy. I used to be soooo busy, with so much to do places to go and people to see. But I found myself with little to do, no where to go, and few people to see. My how things change in just a few short years!
All in all, it was good to go back and spend some time with my friends and family and Leeann, of course, loved all of the attention and kids to play with. You can tell she's getting anxious for Titus to get big enough to play with her!
We came home on Saturday and Rob came home that evening. Leeann was thrilled he was home and he was equally as excited to see her I think. Rob brought me my favorite flowers--yellow roses with red tips. They're beautiful and it's so good to have him home. We missed him like crazy!
This week has been crazy busy too, as they all seem to be. And "like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives."
Anyway, many of you have probably heard of 40 days of purpose, The Purpose Driven Life, or other such 'purpose driven' things. The guy who heads all of those is the Senior Pastor at Saddleback and he runs these conferences. I can't say enough good things about it, but I'll spare you details.
So, Rob spent a week there and I went up to St. Helens, which is where my family is from and where I grew up. I wasn't ready to face the week by myself with both kids so I went and stayed with my cousin and her family. She was really great and helped me take care of my babies. Being a 'single' mom is hard work!
It was fun to be home but it was kind of crazy. I used to be soooo busy, with so much to do places to go and people to see. But I found myself with little to do, no where to go, and few people to see. My how things change in just a few short years!
All in all, it was good to go back and spend some time with my friends and family and Leeann, of course, loved all of the attention and kids to play with. You can tell she's getting anxious for Titus to get big enough to play with her!
We came home on Saturday and Rob came home that evening. Leeann was thrilled he was home and he was equally as excited to see her I think. Rob brought me my favorite flowers--yellow roses with red tips. They're beautiful and it's so good to have him home. We missed him like crazy!
This week has been crazy busy too, as they all seem to be. And "like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives."
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Dreams do come true...
I got an email last night from my friend Eroica (the one who I take pictures and watch 7th Heaven with) who gave me the most incredible news...
Drum role please...
7th Heaven is back! That's right friends, 7th Heaven will air for at least 13 more episodes on a different channel.
Now, everytime a show that I love ends I get really sad and wish that they would just keep it on for a little while longer. Of course, when a show is done, it's done however. Things like this just don't happen! I'm so excited, so very excited! Through my tearful blog about 7th Heaven ending I have found many fellow 7th Heaven fans, so if you hadn't already heard the good news, you have now!
Drum role please...
7th Heaven is back! That's right friends, 7th Heaven will air for at least 13 more episodes on a different channel.
Now, everytime a show that I love ends I get really sad and wish that they would just keep it on for a little while longer. Of course, when a show is done, it's done however. Things like this just don't happen! I'm so excited, so very excited! Through my tearful blog about 7th Heaven ending I have found many fellow 7th Heaven fans, so if you hadn't already heard the good news, you have now!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Monday Night
Oh my my. I love my daughter. I did not enjoy her very much however, at about 1:30 Monday morning! My kids and I stayed the night at my cousin's house so we all slept in the same room. I'm a snuggler so I was in between my kids and somehow I was thinking it would be a magical evening! Well, Titus slept like an angel. Leeann on the other hand...
Aunt Pam had given Leeann some cinnamon bread-sticks from my favorite restraunt in the whole wide world, Sunshine Pizza. I should have known better, but I thought that it wouldn't be a big deal--there isn't that much sugar on those things right? WRONG! And of course, Leeann and Aunt Pam were both enjoying the spoiling/being spoiled fun that was going on between them.
About 1:30 in the morning I heard Leeann climbing up the wall. Kind of. She was up against the wall with her leg straight up in the air and she was rubbing it up against the wall. I tried to tell her to stop and go back to bed, but once she realized I was up she started talking to me too. She had a full-fledged conversation with me telling me all about her day. She kept asking me to 'get-down' (this is what she does when she wakes up in the morning. She stays in bed until we tell her she can get down, it's really cute that she still doesn't realize that she can get out of bed without permission.) I told her that she couldn't get down because everyone else in the house was sleeping. She just kept talking very loudly and I was dozing in and out of sleep. She continued to roll all over her side of the bed, into me and up the wall. Finally at about 3:30 I put her down on the ground with her pillow and a blanket.
She kept talking and in desperation I said to her, "Leeann, it's 3:30 in the morning, everyone is sleeping and you need to go to sleep too." This appeased her for a few short minutes. Just as I was dozing back off to sleep she said, "What time is it?" Great, a new question that I'll spend the next 8 years answering. I ignored her and a few minutes later she asked it again. Great. I regreted ever trying to reason with her about what time it was and why she needed to go back to sleep!
A few minutes later she had grabbed a toy truck off the floor and brought it up to the bed and begun to 'drive' it right next to Titus. She really wanted to play!
Eventually she went back to sleep, after about 2 hours and I went back to sleep too. Not too long after Titus woke up to eat of course, because that's just the way life works!
Again, I ask myself "Why do you read this silly stuff!?" I like it and I will continue to write it because I have the feeling I'm going to love re-living these things in the years to come. I still re-read the adoption story occassionaly and I almost cry every time. I love the adoption story, and heck, I don't remember what it's like to sleep through the night, so what's one night of playing at 1:30 in the morning? This is the stuff that memories are made of!
Aunt Pam had given Leeann some cinnamon bread-sticks from my favorite restraunt in the whole wide world, Sunshine Pizza. I should have known better, but I thought that it wouldn't be a big deal--there isn't that much sugar on those things right? WRONG! And of course, Leeann and Aunt Pam were both enjoying the spoiling/being spoiled fun that was going on between them.
About 1:30 in the morning I heard Leeann climbing up the wall. Kind of. She was up against the wall with her leg straight up in the air and she was rubbing it up against the wall. I tried to tell her to stop and go back to bed, but once she realized I was up she started talking to me too. She had a full-fledged conversation with me telling me all about her day. She kept asking me to 'get-down' (this is what she does when she wakes up in the morning. She stays in bed until we tell her she can get down, it's really cute that she still doesn't realize that she can get out of bed without permission.) I told her that she couldn't get down because everyone else in the house was sleeping. She just kept talking very loudly and I was dozing in and out of sleep. She continued to roll all over her side of the bed, into me and up the wall. Finally at about 3:30 I put her down on the ground with her pillow and a blanket.
She kept talking and in desperation I said to her, "Leeann, it's 3:30 in the morning, everyone is sleeping and you need to go to sleep too." This appeased her for a few short minutes. Just as I was dozing back off to sleep she said, "What time is it?" Great, a new question that I'll spend the next 8 years answering. I ignored her and a few minutes later she asked it again. Great. I regreted ever trying to reason with her about what time it was and why she needed to go back to sleep!
A few minutes later she had grabbed a toy truck off the floor and brought it up to the bed and begun to 'drive' it right next to Titus. She really wanted to play!
Eventually she went back to sleep, after about 2 hours and I went back to sleep too. Not too long after Titus woke up to eat of course, because that's just the way life works!
Again, I ask myself "Why do you read this silly stuff!?" I like it and I will continue to write it because I have the feeling I'm going to love re-living these things in the years to come. I still re-read the adoption story occassionaly and I almost cry every time. I love the adoption story, and heck, I don't remember what it's like to sleep through the night, so what's one night of playing at 1:30 in the morning? This is the stuff that memories are made of!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
From the mouth of babes
I was getting ready for church this morning and I decided to wear a skirt. Mind you, I haven't worn a skirt since probably before I was pregnant with Titus. I don't feel comfortable in them and in general, we just don't like each other--skirts and I. If the skirt itself weren't bad enough you have to be super careful how you sit and you have to wear uncomfortable shoes. That's why I tend to go with pants.
I was kind of feeling down last night about the way I look, post-pregnancy and all, so I decided taking a little extra time to get ready this morning and wearing something feminine might help me feel a little more attractive.
So, the first thing that went wrong, and I should have taken this as a sign, was that Titus grabbed my skirt and went to put it in his mouth while I was trying to get him dressed. He spit up on me. Not a huge amount, but enough. I decided to wash the spit up off of my skirt instead of going to back to the drawing board to find a new outfit. I was truly tempted to take off my skirt and pull my faithful jeans out but I perservered!
Well, I then came down to my bathroom to finish drying my hair and Leeann came in and started talking to me. She was insistent that I take my skirt off. "Mommy, take skirt off, take of skirt mommy." I said, "Leeann, why should I take my skirt off?" "Cause you look perdy fat." she said.
I honestly got teary-eyed. Most days it wouldn't have bothered me but I was already feeling self-conscious and my morning just wasn't going well. This was the first time I ever heard Leeann use the word fat, and I don't even know if she knows what it means... but it isn't what any woman wants to hear, from anyone, anyday, that's for sure! Okay, it was kind of cute because she is only 2, and I am sure this story will get cuter and cuter as the years go by and we read my blog together.
I do realize however, that we are now getting into the stage where my daughter is going to say embarrassing things before she realizes they are inappropriate. Oh, the joys of parenting!
Anyone else got any good stories from the mouths of their little ones?
I was kind of feeling down last night about the way I look, post-pregnancy and all, so I decided taking a little extra time to get ready this morning and wearing something feminine might help me feel a little more attractive.
So, the first thing that went wrong, and I should have taken this as a sign, was that Titus grabbed my skirt and went to put it in his mouth while I was trying to get him dressed. He spit up on me. Not a huge amount, but enough. I decided to wash the spit up off of my skirt instead of going to back to the drawing board to find a new outfit. I was truly tempted to take off my skirt and pull my faithful jeans out but I perservered!
Well, I then came down to my bathroom to finish drying my hair and Leeann came in and started talking to me. She was insistent that I take my skirt off. "Mommy, take skirt off, take of skirt mommy." I said, "Leeann, why should I take my skirt off?" "Cause you look perdy fat." she said.
I honestly got teary-eyed. Most days it wouldn't have bothered me but I was already feeling self-conscious and my morning just wasn't going well. This was the first time I ever heard Leeann use the word fat, and I don't even know if she knows what it means... but it isn't what any woman wants to hear, from anyone, anyday, that's for sure! Okay, it was kind of cute because she is only 2, and I am sure this story will get cuter and cuter as the years go by and we read my blog together.
I do realize however, that we are now getting into the stage where my daughter is going to say embarrassing things before she realizes they are inappropriate. Oh, the joys of parenting!
Anyone else got any good stories from the mouths of their little ones?
Friday, May 12, 2006
Learning what it means to be scared
Yesterday we borrowed Robots the movie from our friend Allie and Leeann was super excited because she hasn't seen it since around Christmas and she loves that movie! Rob put the movie on for her then he had to go to a meeting. She was content in the living room watching it while I was getting some stuff done around the house. About 45 minutes into it she started crying telling me to "Turn off Robots please, mommy, pleeeeease!" I sat down to talk to her to make sure that's what she really wanted to do because it really surprised me. She said, "That scare Leeann mommy, turn off, that scare Leeann!" She didn't seem utterly frightened but she certainly wanted me to turn it off. She seems fine watching it with one of us in the room though and was asking to watch it again later. So it seems that she's learning what it means to be scared which will open up a whole new chapter in life for us! She's growing so big and she's growing up so fast. She's taller and prettier and smarter than ever! Where has time gone?
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
In the mouth it goes...
What goes in Titus's mouth you may ask? EVERYTHING! He's definately getting the concept of grabbing everything in sight, and promptly putting it into his mouth. This includes my hair, my nose, my glasses and anything else in grabbing distance! It's cute, but it's just one more thing I have to watch out for now! The battle of keeping my baby away from chocking hazards has begun!
I put him down for a nap today without being swaddled (he's gotta learn sometime and it's getting to hot to do the double-swaddle thing we've been doing). I was determined that he was going to fall asleep without being swaddled. It took about an hour and half, two feedings and re-insertion of the binky every couple of minutes, but he sucessfully took an hour long nap without flinging his arms up to his head (which is what usually happens then he jolts himself and wakes up). Or he did do the arm-fling-thing at least it didn't wake him up! I figure it's better to practice at nap-time than at bed-time, because then it doesn't effect my sanity as much!
I put him down for a nap today without being swaddled (he's gotta learn sometime and it's getting to hot to do the double-swaddle thing we've been doing). I was determined that he was going to fall asleep without being swaddled. It took about an hour and half, two feedings and re-insertion of the binky every couple of minutes, but he sucessfully took an hour long nap without flinging his arms up to his head (which is what usually happens then he jolts himself and wakes up). Or he did do the arm-fling-thing at least it didn't wake him up! I figure it's better to practice at nap-time than at bed-time, because then it doesn't effect my sanity as much!
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Not Again...
Definition of the Norovirus: The virus that just won't go away.
Titus was showing signs of being sick again yesterday. It's hard to tell with him though because it's not uncommon for him to spit up (i.e. vomit) and he doesn't show signs of diarrhea because, well you can't tell that in a 5 month old either. His spit up was thicker than normal and apparently he had a really bad diaper yesterday, although it was a babysitter who changed it so I wasn't sure how out of the ordinary it was. After a night of little-to-no sleep for either of us last night I still didn't think too much of it this morning--until Kajsa got sick. Kajsa is Eroica's daughter and we spent most of the day yesterday at her house. Because it takes 24-36 hours to develop symptoms after exposure it's a darn good bet that Titus was once again the culprit. Where did he get it? Well, it could have been anywhere. We were at 2 graduation parties this weekend, and at the church. I can't even begin to guess how many people held him (i.e. how many others might have been exposed, or who might have exposed him). That'll teach me not to hold other people's babies, I feel sorry for all who have held mine lately!
Hopefully tonight we'll all get a little more sleep and wake up in a better mood. And hopefully this nasty little bug will just go away!
Titus was showing signs of being sick again yesterday. It's hard to tell with him though because it's not uncommon for him to spit up (i.e. vomit) and he doesn't show signs of diarrhea because, well you can't tell that in a 5 month old either. His spit up was thicker than normal and apparently he had a really bad diaper yesterday, although it was a babysitter who changed it so I wasn't sure how out of the ordinary it was. After a night of little-to-no sleep for either of us last night I still didn't think too much of it this morning--until Kajsa got sick. Kajsa is Eroica's daughter and we spent most of the day yesterday at her house. Because it takes 24-36 hours to develop symptoms after exposure it's a darn good bet that Titus was once again the culprit. Where did he get it? Well, it could have been anywhere. We were at 2 graduation parties this weekend, and at the church. I can't even begin to guess how many people held him (i.e. how many others might have been exposed, or who might have exposed him). That'll teach me not to hold other people's babies, I feel sorry for all who have held mine lately!
Hopefully tonight we'll all get a little more sleep and wake up in a better mood. And hopefully this nasty little bug will just go away!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Farewell 7th Heaven
Tonight was the series finale of 7th Heaven. It started in 1996, the year I started high school. Tonight, we said good-bye to the family that brought us so many tears, so many smiles and so many laughs (end sentimental moment).
I've watched it off and on for the 10 years it has been running, but I've been watching it consistently for the last 6 months or so. Eroica has Tivo so she's been Tivo-ing it for me to watch. We've had fun watching it together, but that fun has now come to an end :0( Tonight I went over there for the finale because I simply couldn't wait til later this week. I'm sad, it's one of the few clean, feel-good shows left on television.
Now I'll just have to stick to my Extreme Makeover Home Edition. When that one goes off the air I'm never going to turn on the TV again. Why do they keep taking all of my favorite shows off the air? I guess it's inevitable.
This might give you some insight into my upbringing but here are some shows I have fond memories of watching as a kid/teen. While other kids were watching cartoons, I grew up on these 'classics':
Married with Children
Full House
Roseanne
Boy Meets World
Home Improvement
Baywatch
Beverly Hills 90210
Party of Five
Days of our Lives
Those are the ones that come to mind right away. But the common denominator. Gone. All of them--of the air, no longer in existence. Except Days. Either way it's good that most of them are gone because if they were still on I would never do anything other than watch TV and my mind would be rotting and filled with not-so good things. Looking back most of those shows are full of less-than pure content. I didn't realize it then though, and that's probably a good thing.
Good-bye Camden's, we'll miss you! (okay, end sentimental moment for good now!)
I've watched it off and on for the 10 years it has been running, but I've been watching it consistently for the last 6 months or so. Eroica has Tivo so she's been Tivo-ing it for me to watch. We've had fun watching it together, but that fun has now come to an end :0( Tonight I went over there for the finale because I simply couldn't wait til later this week. I'm sad, it's one of the few clean, feel-good shows left on television.
Now I'll just have to stick to my Extreme Makeover Home Edition. When that one goes off the air I'm never going to turn on the TV again. Why do they keep taking all of my favorite shows off the air? I guess it's inevitable.
This might give you some insight into my upbringing but here are some shows I have fond memories of watching as a kid/teen. While other kids were watching cartoons, I grew up on these 'classics':
Married with Children
Full House
Roseanne
Boy Meets World
Home Improvement
Baywatch
Beverly Hills 90210
Party of Five
Days of our Lives
Those are the ones that come to mind right away. But the common denominator. Gone. All of them--of the air, no longer in existence. Except Days. Either way it's good that most of them are gone because if they were still on I would never do anything other than watch TV and my mind would be rotting and filled with not-so good things. Looking back most of those shows are full of less-than pure content. I didn't realize it then though, and that's probably a good thing.
Good-bye Camden's, we'll miss you! (okay, end sentimental moment for good now!)
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Children's Ministry Coordinator
It was officially announced yesterday that I will be taking on the position of Children's Ministry Coordinator at our church. It will only be 10 hours a week, and I'll be able to do most of my work from home. I'm so very excited about this new job, it truly is my dream job! My degree is in Bible Education and my hope when I chose that major was to use it as a Children's Ministry Coordinator someday. The only problem was that I'm completely limited as to only being able to work where my husband works--being that's where we go to church! So in order for me to have a job like this it needs to be a chuch big enough to be able to hire someone for this position, and to also have a vacancy available.
Well, our church is getting big enough that this is a neccessary staff position, and the position will be opening up as of June 1st with Noah (the current children's ministry/youth intern) graduating and moving to a Youth Pastor position in Washington. I'm soooo excited about this opportunity as it has so many components of what I love to do. It involves kids, activities, planning and providing vision and leadership. All things I would love to do in a job! It'll be tough because as always there will be church politics to deal with, but I can't think of a better job or ministry to have! I'm so excited and I look forward to beginning this job with great anticipation!
Well, our church is getting big enough that this is a neccessary staff position, and the position will be opening up as of June 1st with Noah (the current children's ministry/youth intern) graduating and moving to a Youth Pastor position in Washington. I'm soooo excited about this opportunity as it has so many components of what I love to do. It involves kids, activities, planning and providing vision and leadership. All things I would love to do in a job! It'll be tough because as always there will be church politics to deal with, but I can't think of a better job or ministry to have! I'm so excited and I look forward to beginning this job with great anticipation!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
An Emotional Moment
For anyone who knows me well, they know that I'm not a very emotional person. Sure I cry every-so-often, but probably a quarter as much as the average woman. I don't typically get in cat fights because I don't take things personally very often. Sometimes I wonder if I have an emotional side to me at all because I find it hard to cry or be sad even when I ought to be.
Well, I didn't cry tonight but I sure became teary-eyed. I was up in Titus's room looking around and I suddenly began to imagine what his room would look like in 15 years. The room that looks huge won't look so big with a twin size bed in it. His dresser will probably have the 15 years from now version of Garbage Pail kid stickers and stickers of bands stuck all over it. He'll have posters on the wall and a basket ball hoop behind the door. I won't remember what color his carpet is because it'll be covered in clothes and other smelly stuff. My kids are going to grow up before I know it. I held him in my arms and rocked him in the rocking chair and just stared at him as I prayed for him and talked to him. He just stared back and caressed my face and smiled at me. I found myself praying for his future spouse and that he would be a good daddy and a good husband. Somehow I just got this incredible picture of him in his 20's, out of the house with a family of his own. What a bitter sweet day that will be. I'm going to be 42 when my kids are both off to college. My dad is older than that with two babies at home. I can't imagine life without my kids. I know I have at least 18 years left, but I know those years are going to fly by right before my eyes.
I snuck into Leeann's room after I tucked Titus into bed. I was hoping she was still awake, and she was. I asked her if I could pray for her and she said yes and grabbed my hand. I prayed for her as a mommy and a wife and for her future spouse too. I try to do that with both of them often. I prayed that she would come to know and trust Jesus at a very young age and that she would walk with him and serve him every day of her life. I said "amen" and she said "Thank you mommy!" It was soooo sweet. Just as the tears began to well up she said "Go out, I'm tired." And then I started laughing and I kissed her and tucked her and her baby doll into the covers.
I love my kids. They are so sweet and so special. We have had Leeann more than half of her life now, and Titus is over 5 months old. It seems like just yesterday it was just the two of us. And it will probably feel like tomorrow when they're both in school. Why do they have to grow up? What a great reminder to treasure every moment and every stage. Kids are so special, and mine are the most-specialest ever!
Well, I didn't cry tonight but I sure became teary-eyed. I was up in Titus's room looking around and I suddenly began to imagine what his room would look like in 15 years. The room that looks huge won't look so big with a twin size bed in it. His dresser will probably have the 15 years from now version of Garbage Pail kid stickers and stickers of bands stuck all over it. He'll have posters on the wall and a basket ball hoop behind the door. I won't remember what color his carpet is because it'll be covered in clothes and other smelly stuff. My kids are going to grow up before I know it. I held him in my arms and rocked him in the rocking chair and just stared at him as I prayed for him and talked to him. He just stared back and caressed my face and smiled at me. I found myself praying for his future spouse and that he would be a good daddy and a good husband. Somehow I just got this incredible picture of him in his 20's, out of the house with a family of his own. What a bitter sweet day that will be. I'm going to be 42 when my kids are both off to college. My dad is older than that with two babies at home. I can't imagine life without my kids. I know I have at least 18 years left, but I know those years are going to fly by right before my eyes.
I snuck into Leeann's room after I tucked Titus into bed. I was hoping she was still awake, and she was. I asked her if I could pray for her and she said yes and grabbed my hand. I prayed for her as a mommy and a wife and for her future spouse too. I try to do that with both of them often. I prayed that she would come to know and trust Jesus at a very young age and that she would walk with him and serve him every day of her life. I said "amen" and she said "Thank you mommy!" It was soooo sweet. Just as the tears began to well up she said "Go out, I'm tired." And then I started laughing and I kissed her and tucked her and her baby doll into the covers.
I love my kids. They are so sweet and so special. We have had Leeann more than half of her life now, and Titus is over 5 months old. It seems like just yesterday it was just the two of us. And it will probably feel like tomorrow when they're both in school. Why do they have to grow up? What a great reminder to treasure every moment and every stage. Kids are so special, and mine are the most-specialest ever!
Car Wash and Spiked Hair
Just hanging out on a Thursday afternoon...
That's his day off ya know... he likes to spend it with me...
Sometimes he's even nice enough to let me help him with his chores...
This is what Titus looks like when daddy puts gel in his hair!
Below is a picture of me hanging out with my two favorite boys. Mommy thought we looked cute together!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
A Weekend to Remember
On Monday I wrote all about our weekend away, but when I went to publish the post it said there were errors and I lost everything I had written. It's always frustrating to write the same things again, but I'll give you a shortened version here:
About a month ago Rob and I stopped by the table of a local radio station during a Family Living Expo fair at the mall. I picked up a Weekend to Remember brochure that advertises a marriage conference that is held at various times all over the world. I had heard it advertised in Eugene for the end of April but I knew that the conferences were a lot of money on top of hotel and food, so I didn't think it would really be an option. Besides, it's over a weekend and that makes it difficult because we only get 3 Sundays off a year. Not to mention the fact that we have young kids and yada yada yada...
Well, I picked up the brochure anyway and turned it straight to the page that said "Pastor's register for free!" Sweet! We could do the hotel and food if we didn't have to pay for the conference, and we've always wanted to go to a marriage conference. So, Rob got the time off, I made some reservations and we were able to go!
It was such a blessing and such an amazing conference. A whole weekend just to focus on our marriage and on each other--I don't think we could have made a better investment! There was lot's of time scheduled into the conference to spend alone together and to reflect on the things we'd been learning. There were sections of homework that were really cool and practical that we would do seperately and then come together and talk about our answers. I think my favorite one was something like this:
1.) List the top 5 needs that you precieve your husband to have and write how you think you can help him to acheive those needs.
2.) List your top 5 needs and what you think your husband can do to help you acheive those needs.
3.) Now compare your lists and talk together about how you can best fulfill each others top needs.
WOW! What a concept! It was neat to see that our perceptions were right on with each others, but it was also great to see some actual practical steps that we could take to help meet each others needs. In the homework sections there were also pre-married and re-married tracks, there's something for everyone! I would highly recommend this conference to anyone and I would say it's well worth the money. I don't think you could make a better investment into your marriage!
Our kids stayed with a family in the church for the weekend. It was the first time Rob and I had spent a night away together since Leeann became part of our home. It was so good to get away together and to focus on us as a couple. It was also good to get the chance to miss the kids, and really, investing into our marriage is the best thing we can do to invest into them also. They stayed with a couple that has 3 girls 6, 8 and 10ish. Leeann was in high-heaven! I don't even know if she knew we were gone! I was doing well without them until Sunday morning (the conference started Friday evening). By Sunday morning I was ready to get home and give some hugs and kisses to my precious little ones! I missed them, but they had fun and so did we! It was such a blessing for the Devenports to care for our kids so we could get away. Not many people would offer to take on two more, especially when one's only 5 months old! They were all troopers though, and they did a great job!
Well, daddy and Leeann are out washing the cars on Rob's day off and Titus just woke up. It's almost noon so I suppose I ought to get to doing something productive. After I bathed the kids and got them ready I sat on the couch and read a book for an hour or so. I love Thursdays!
About a month ago Rob and I stopped by the table of a local radio station during a Family Living Expo fair at the mall. I picked up a Weekend to Remember brochure that advertises a marriage conference that is held at various times all over the world. I had heard it advertised in Eugene for the end of April but I knew that the conferences were a lot of money on top of hotel and food, so I didn't think it would really be an option. Besides, it's over a weekend and that makes it difficult because we only get 3 Sundays off a year. Not to mention the fact that we have young kids and yada yada yada...
Well, I picked up the brochure anyway and turned it straight to the page that said "Pastor's register for free!" Sweet! We could do the hotel and food if we didn't have to pay for the conference, and we've always wanted to go to a marriage conference. So, Rob got the time off, I made some reservations and we were able to go!
It was such a blessing and such an amazing conference. A whole weekend just to focus on our marriage and on each other--I don't think we could have made a better investment! There was lot's of time scheduled into the conference to spend alone together and to reflect on the things we'd been learning. There were sections of homework that were really cool and practical that we would do seperately and then come together and talk about our answers. I think my favorite one was something like this:
1.) List the top 5 needs that you precieve your husband to have and write how you think you can help him to acheive those needs.
2.) List your top 5 needs and what you think your husband can do to help you acheive those needs.
3.) Now compare your lists and talk together about how you can best fulfill each others top needs.
WOW! What a concept! It was neat to see that our perceptions were right on with each others, but it was also great to see some actual practical steps that we could take to help meet each others needs. In the homework sections there were also pre-married and re-married tracks, there's something for everyone! I would highly recommend this conference to anyone and I would say it's well worth the money. I don't think you could make a better investment into your marriage!
Our kids stayed with a family in the church for the weekend. It was the first time Rob and I had spent a night away together since Leeann became part of our home. It was so good to get away together and to focus on us as a couple. It was also good to get the chance to miss the kids, and really, investing into our marriage is the best thing we can do to invest into them also. They stayed with a couple that has 3 girls 6, 8 and 10ish. Leeann was in high-heaven! I don't even know if she knew we were gone! I was doing well without them until Sunday morning (the conference started Friday evening). By Sunday morning I was ready to get home and give some hugs and kisses to my precious little ones! I missed them, but they had fun and so did we! It was such a blessing for the Devenports to care for our kids so we could get away. Not many people would offer to take on two more, especially when one's only 5 months old! They were all troopers though, and they did a great job!
Well, daddy and Leeann are out washing the cars on Rob's day off and Titus just woke up. It's almost noon so I suppose I ought to get to doing something productive. After I bathed the kids and got them ready I sat on the couch and read a book for an hour or so. I love Thursdays!
Friday, April 28, 2006
Why do people like blogs?
I love blogs. I love to write them and I love to read them. I have several that I check everyday and I always look forward to updates. What a crazy society it is that we live in that we can use this as a way of communication. But my question is, why do people like them so much? I think it's a stem from the reality t.v. show world we've been living in. We can know what's going on in someone elses world without ever talking to them. Look how much you know about me, and I don't even know who you are. It seems like fairly often I found out about someone else who's reading my blog, who either linked to it or heard about from someone else. What a crazy world we live in. Why am I writing about this? It's simple. I don't have much else to write about!
Except for that my dear sweet Titus has been waking up several times in the middle of the night. He had a while that he was sleeping clear until 7. Then it moved to 4 and the last couple of nights he's also woken up at 2. It's funny but I feel cheated when he wakes up so early! I love him anyway and he always promises to greet me with a smile which ends up making the middle of the night feedings all worth it!
Kind of.
Except for that my dear sweet Titus has been waking up several times in the middle of the night. He had a while that he was sleeping clear until 7. Then it moved to 4 and the last couple of nights he's also woken up at 2. It's funny but I feel cheated when he wakes up so early! I love him anyway and he always promises to greet me with a smile which ends up making the middle of the night feedings all worth it!
Kind of.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Norovirus
The Health Department called today to confirm that everyone they had 'samples' from tested positive for norovirus (which includes my two little ones!) The last count I heard was 16 so cancelling services seems to have been a wise thing to do. We even made the news in Portland and Eugene which is not exactly what you want to make the news for! They also said it's basically a fancy term for the 24 hour stomach flu. It's a good thing Titus didn't get really sick because of it, because the really young and really old seem to be the most affected by it. He was fine before we even knew what hit us though. Anyway, we're all well and our home and church are both very disinfected now!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
I Confess
I haven't flossed in a while. Okay, probably a long while. This morning I felt the need for a little bit of flossing action and it felt really good. If you are not a regular flosser (shame on you) you should try it today. Go ahead, make your mouth happy!
The Most RIDICULOUS Movie Ever!!!
Mission Impossible 1 and Mission Impossible 2! Can you get any cheesier? I found myself laughing out-loud at several parts of the movies that were so unthinkable they were hillarious. Tom Cruise's rock climbing scene at the beginning of MI2... HA HA HA HA!!! The fight scenes, the helicopter in the tunnel...I could go on and on but I don't want to stoop to the place that I have to replay either of those silly movies in my mind. In my mind the plot's were silly, the stunts sillier and some of the acting silliest! It was good for a few laughs though. And I realized that my husband looks quite a bit like Cruise when he's clean cut (in MI1), which is better than Steve off of Blue's Clues which seemed to be his closest celebrity resemblence til now...
Friday, April 21, 2006
So, Church is Cancelled
Seriously. We aren't going to have any services, meetings or youth group this weekend. At least 11 people that we know of have gotten sick and the exposure beyond that is huge. So, in an effort to tame this thing the Heath Department said that we shouldn't have any child-care or gatherings of children this weekend, and that any mass congregating exposes a massive risk of continued out-break. Crazy eh? So, ask me what the 4 of us are going to do all weekend while we're quarentined at home? MOVIES!!! It will be beyond weird to have a whole weekend, Sunday included that we don't have anything that we can do. We NEVER, and I mean NEVER have a Sunday that we aren't at church (unless we're somewhere else like with family or at a church event). So to have a whole weekend by ourselves seems crazy! It'll be fun though, I look forward to spending some good ole fashioned quality family time together!
A Plague Update
So today has been full of fun. Leeann only threw up the one time this morning and seems to be feeling better. Unfortunately the rest of our church is not and it partially appears to be our fault!
Apparently several members of my family from St. Helens are quite sick also, who we were exposed to on Easter Sunday. We generously brought the virus to the church nursery on Wednesday where we exposed any number of people to this virus too. At the very least, all of the kids who were in the nursery that day have been sick. The two preschool teachers and the Pastor are also sick, and who knows who else! EEEKKKKK!!! So our kids are on a 72 hour quarentine. What that means for Sunday morning, I'm not sure. Sunday is supposed to be a big day for both of us with a big all church meeting, but it looks like at the very least I'll be home loving on my sweet little sick kids!
Apparently several members of my family from St. Helens are quite sick also, who we were exposed to on Easter Sunday. We generously brought the virus to the church nursery on Wednesday where we exposed any number of people to this virus too. At the very least, all of the kids who were in the nursery that day have been sick. The two preschool teachers and the Pastor are also sick, and who knows who else! EEEKKKKK!!! So our kids are on a 72 hour quarentine. What that means for Sunday morning, I'm not sure. Sunday is supposed to be a big day for both of us with a big all church meeting, but it looks like at the very least I'll be home loving on my sweet little sick kids!
Robots or Blues Clues?
I just assumed that we would do Blue's Clues for Leeann's Birthday because she really likes Blues Clues. She loves the movie Robots too though and I just found out that they do in fact make Robot party items... hmmm. Decisions, decisions. Her Birthday isn't for 3 more months, but hey, mom's think about these things!
The Plague
A mothers love shines through at it's fullest when you hold your dear sweet daughters hair back as she throws up onto a towel with tears in her eyes. Yup, Leeann's got it too. She slept almost 2 hours later than normal this morning, that should have tipped me off to something. Shortly thereafter she got sick. She's been fine for several hours now though and she even wanted lunch so she's eating some toast as I type this. I hate to see my kids sick, it's no fun at all!
Apparently my kids aren't the only ones that are sick. We had a VBS meeting at my house this morning and one of the moms had to leave to pick up her daughter from preschool because both of the teachers were sick (this is the preschool at the church, the one I used to work at). Pastor Denny's sick too, as well as all of the kids who were in the church nursery on Wednesday for women's Bible Study (mine included). Whatever this is it seems to be spreading like wild-fire! Rob is dilligently trying to get all of his studying done today so he can either pass his lesson on if he gets sick, or so he can preach for Denny if he's not feeling well.
I had several plans today, a babysitting commitment, a lunch date with some ladies and a photo-shoot of some bullet gels (good thing they are inanimate objects, they'll be fine if I don't get to them until later).
But instead, I stay home and write to you about the woes of my day. In anticipation of my own illness I really should make a pretty strong effort to get some more housework done. I've neglected most of my home duties this week because I haven't felt tip-top, but at least I'm not throwing up... yet. I should try really hard to get some things done before I do!
Apparently my kids aren't the only ones that are sick. We had a VBS meeting at my house this morning and one of the moms had to leave to pick up her daughter from preschool because both of the teachers were sick (this is the preschool at the church, the one I used to work at). Pastor Denny's sick too, as well as all of the kids who were in the church nursery on Wednesday for women's Bible Study (mine included). Whatever this is it seems to be spreading like wild-fire! Rob is dilligently trying to get all of his studying done today so he can either pass his lesson on if he gets sick, or so he can preach for Denny if he's not feeling well.
I had several plans today, a babysitting commitment, a lunch date with some ladies and a photo-shoot of some bullet gels (good thing they are inanimate objects, they'll be fine if I don't get to them until later).
But instead, I stay home and write to you about the woes of my day. In anticipation of my own illness I really should make a pretty strong effort to get some more housework done. I've neglected most of my home duties this week because I haven't felt tip-top, but at least I'm not throwing up... yet. I should try really hard to get some things done before I do!
Thursday, April 20, 2006
We found a dining room table
After a couple of hours of furniture shopping we found a table that we really like, and because it was at a consignment shop, we found it for a great price! The only problem. No chairs! So now we are on a hunt for some slat-back espresso colored chairs. It's not as easy as it sounds but I have a lead that I'll try to check on soon. I'm really excited because it's similar to the really expensive tables that we've been looking at but it's got some dings (character). The dings are okay with me because if they weren't already there, they'd be there soon enough, so I'm happy to take the price break! It seats 4-8 because it has a butterfly leaf in the middle. I love it! But now we just have to find some chairs and a way to get it home!
Scary Scary
Leeann, Titus and I were sitting on my bed this morning while I was on the phone. Titus was just hanging out like he tends to do and Leeann was crawling around all over the place like she tends to do. All of the sudden I heard Leeann scream. She had gotten caught at the bottom of our log bedframe between the mattress, the top log and two side logs. It's like she tried to get down by escaping between two logs, but she got stuck up to her shoulders. She wasn't stuck too tight but it freaked both of us out pretty well! It's a gentle reminder to keep a good eye on my kids. The scariest part is that I was on the bed with her and she was stuck before I even knew she'd ventured to the bottom of the bed!
I woke up this morning with my throat feeling like its on fire. I still don't feel well enough to function normally, but I don't feel so bad as to stop all of my daily activities either. Titus's constant fussiness has left with a nearly constant headache for the last 3 days which isn't helping matters. Eroica graciously offered to watch the kids for a little while today while Rob and I go out to lunch and do some furniture shopping for a new dining room table. Our current table and chairs scratch the floor and they aren't easily fixed by felt as most chairs are. And the chairs are all cloth which spells trouble with two little ones.
Gotta get the kiddies ready for their trip to Ro's, and mommy's gotta get ready for her date!
I woke up this morning with my throat feeling like its on fire. I still don't feel well enough to function normally, but I don't feel so bad as to stop all of my daily activities either. Titus's constant fussiness has left with a nearly constant headache for the last 3 days which isn't helping matters. Eroica graciously offered to watch the kids for a little while today while Rob and I go out to lunch and do some furniture shopping for a new dining room table. Our current table and chairs scratch the floor and they aren't easily fixed by felt as most chairs are. And the chairs are all cloth which spells trouble with two little ones.
Gotta get the kiddies ready for their trip to Ro's, and mommy's gotta get ready for her date!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
I think Titus is sick
I think that Titus might be sick. He's spit up large amounts of mushy liquid today (I even had to change his clothes three times because of it, so it certainly is out of the ordinary). He also had a diaper that overflowed abundantly and smelled like rotten eggs. This was the first time his diaper had stunk like that so I'm going to venture a big guess that he doesn't feel real great. I haven't felt perfect either which only further confirms that there's some sorta bug going around here these days. Sorry I haven't been writing much lately, there really just isn't a lot to talk about. Well, at least not a lot that I can post on a blog that who-knows-who reads :0) Blogging is like a diary of the worst sort, one that anyone, anywhere can read at any time. At least I know that others are reading it so I can be choosy about what I write! I'm finding that it is actually a great way to communicate with friends and family. I have some more pictures to post soon but it'll have to wait until I take the time to down-load and post them. I could keep writing, but it would be pointless because I really have nothing to say!
Rob will home from work any time now so I should go do my 10-minute till daddy comes home routine. You know, where you quickly make the beds and pick up the obvious junk of the floors, neatly stack the dishes (you only have 1o minutes), throw the kids' toys back into their rooms, throw a load of laundry in to make it look like you've spent the day cleaning and wipe the kids faces off so it doesn't appear as if you've been neglecting them all day! Come on, don't tell me you've never done the same thing!
Rob will home from work any time now so I should go do my 10-minute till daddy comes home routine. You know, where you quickly make the beds and pick up the obvious junk of the floors, neatly stack the dishes (you only have 1o minutes), throw the kids' toys back into their rooms, throw a load of laundry in to make it look like you've spent the day cleaning and wipe the kids faces off so it doesn't appear as if you've been neglecting them all day! Come on, don't tell me you've never done the same thing!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
No Longer Safe... and Big Boy Crying
Titus is getting bigger, and with getting bigger means getting stronger. He is no longer safe anywhere and I have the feeling I'm going to have a tough couple of months ahead of me! Even when I'm holding him he kicks off of me and wiggles and squirms and makes me nervous. He got his feet up underneath him the other day and slowly catapulted himself over the top of his swing (it's a little travel one that sits very close to the floor). That same day he wiggled himself out the bottom of his carseat when Rob had set him down in there for a mere minute or two. When I'm feeding him he's no longer content to stay still and even this morning he had wiggled out the top of his swaddle and squirmed to the top of the crib.
Houston: We have a problem.
Titus just won't sleep unless he's swaddled. Period. He's too strong to effectively swaddle anymore though. Any suggestions? Do you know anyone who makes baby straight-jackets?!?!?
When he breaks free from his swaddle he cries and cries and cries. These are no longer cute little baby whimpers, these are kid throwing a fit in the candy isle kind of cries. I heard so many of these cries yesterday I thought I was going insane! He was inconsolable most of the day. I wonder if he's getting sick because I'm not feeling well myself. Hmmm. Or he's teething. Or he's just getting his own little attitude. Maybe he's not getting enough sleep because he's breaking free from his swaddle? All I know is that I hope today is better because if today is anything like yesterday I won't get anything done and I'll fall asleep exhausted on my pillow!
BUT... I love my kids and I'm glad to be their mommy. It's the greatest most rewarding job in the whole wide world and I think my kids are the greatest. They have the sweetest little personalities and the cutest smiles. Hugs, kisses and smiles make all the fussing worth it!
Houston: We have a problem.
Titus just won't sleep unless he's swaddled. Period. He's too strong to effectively swaddle anymore though. Any suggestions? Do you know anyone who makes baby straight-jackets?!?!?
When he breaks free from his swaddle he cries and cries and cries. These are no longer cute little baby whimpers, these are kid throwing a fit in the candy isle kind of cries. I heard so many of these cries yesterday I thought I was going insane! He was inconsolable most of the day. I wonder if he's getting sick because I'm not feeling well myself. Hmmm. Or he's teething. Or he's just getting his own little attitude. Maybe he's not getting enough sleep because he's breaking free from his swaddle? All I know is that I hope today is better because if today is anything like yesterday I won't get anything done and I'll fall asleep exhausted on my pillow!
BUT... I love my kids and I'm glad to be their mommy. It's the greatest most rewarding job in the whole wide world and I think my kids are the greatest. They have the sweetest little personalities and the cutest smiles. Hugs, kisses and smiles make all the fussing worth it!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
To Grandmother's House We Go (and Grandpa's Too)
Last week we took a family vacation up to Eastern Washington to attend Rob's Grandfather's 80th Birthday celebration. It was a lot of fun seeing family and getting to introduce Titus to most of Rob's dads side of the family. It was the first time he got to meet his Great Grandma and Grandpa Buhl, which is especially special to me because I lost both of my Grandpas this last year before they got to meet Titus. My family goal for the year was to get a 4 generation Buhl boy shot. We had lot's of fun and got to stay a couple of nights at Rob's other Grandparent's house. Grandma and Grandpa D are lots of fun and Grandma is a great cook! Thanks for letting us stay and hang out a couple of days! Aunt Suzy (Rob's sister) and her boys came up Friday which was especially fun because we don't get to spend much time with just them. We enjoyed that a lot, they're a cool family. Leeann loves them lots and she had fun getting to play with her cousins. I had fun too, just relaxing with not a whole lot to do! So in a really short nutshell, with lots of pictures... that was our trip to Grandmother's house...
The Buhl Boys
This is the 4 generation Buhl boy picture that I've been wanting. Rob's brother Dan, his dad Steve, his Grandpa Bob (the original Robert Buhl) Rob and Titus. This picture--priceless!
The Loss of Little One...
Some good friends of ours Noah and Cherish had a miscarriage yesterday. Cherish was 12.5 weeks along with their second child. He will graduate from Corban College (our alma mater) in just a few weeks and is headed into full-time ministry. He currently works with Rob at the church. They are a really neat couple who I'm confident God will use greatly, but they could certainly use some prayer for comfort and healing right now. All things considered they seem to be doing well, they trust in a loving God who has a plan for their lives. Pray that they can continue to fully trust in God through their time of hurting.
Just for a little family connection note this is Toby's (Baby Joel's dad) brother and his wife.
Just for a little family connection note this is Toby's (Baby Joel's dad) brother and his wife.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Cranky Pants and TV Junkie
Titus has been Mr. Cranky Pants lately! He's been fussy and inconsolible and that's not like him. It drives me nuts and makes me want to check into the loony-bin! This morning he was super fussy and I put Blues Clues on for Leeann so that I could get a few things done. Titus stopped fussing so he could watch it with her. It's hard to believe that even my four-month old is turning into a Blue's Clues junkie!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Since I Haven't Posted Pictures in a While
This is what happens when you have a big sister
Can we say blackmail? By the way Grandma, how do you like the fur you sent? Leeann insisted Titus got to play with it too...
Part of Titus' room
Our dining room--slightly bigger than our last house!
He's just a cute kid. This was taken 2 weeks ago 
Daddy and Leeann picked me flowers from the yard!
Leeann's attempts at swaddling Titus. It didn't quite work as well as when mommy does it!
During my trip through memory lane Leeann and I both tried on my old cheerleading uniform. It looks far better on her, so I decided to blog her picture. It's less traumatizing that way!
Grandma R sent this really cute John Deere apron to Leeann. It matches mommys!
I thought I turned this sideways... oops!
This is what happens when Leeann's fed and tired. We had company over for dinner so she ate on the floor in the kitchen and apparently she was done, because she fell asleep. In case you are wondering, this happens fairly often. Rob pulled a chip out of her mouth the other day while she was in her chair. She fell asleep in the middle of putting a chip into her mouth! Rob woke her up and made her swallow what was in her mouth but then she went back to sleep. I missed it because I was sleeping too. Apparantly it had been a long day for both of us!
This was about a month ago, I was showing off his cute baby push-ups!So here's the deal... my kid is short!
You won't be the least bit surprised to hear that my dear son is in the 3rd% for height. Yes folks, 97% of 4 month olds are taller than him. He truly is his parents child!
Titus had his 4 month Dr. appointment today and everything is healthy and he seems happy. I take that back, he wasn't very happy when they gave him 3 different shots... but other than that things are good!
Height 23 1/4 inches
Weight 12 lbs. 11 oz
Head 16.5 inches
They are supposed to double their birthweight by 4 months, but someone forgot to tell Titus that! His doctor assures me that it isn't anything to worry about as statistics don't take into account short genes. He may not be big, but he sure is cute!
Titus had his 4 month Dr. appointment today and everything is healthy and he seems happy. I take that back, he wasn't very happy when they gave him 3 different shots... but other than that things are good!
Height 23 1/4 inches
Weight 12 lbs. 11 oz
Head 16.5 inches
They are supposed to double their birthweight by 4 months, but someone forgot to tell Titus that! His doctor assures me that it isn't anything to worry about as statistics don't take into account short genes. He may not be big, but he sure is cute!
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